The Chamber is proactive in acting as your source for business information regarding the COVID-19 outbreak. It is incumbent on all of us to follow the advice of medical experts and elected officials in order to minimize the impact of COVID-19. The Chamber Board and staff know the socio-economic impacts this crisis will have on our members and indeed the community at large.
 
However, the board and staff of The Chamber know that this will mean hardship for many, including our members. Since the beginning of this pandemic, we have been in contact with representatives from all three levels of government advocating on your behalf for support that will help mitigate the damage being done to the business community.  
 
Below are resources and information that you may find helpful at this time, but we also want to hear from you about your specific experiences and suggestions for how government can help you and your employees. We will share your requests and stories with government officials on an ongoing basis. 
 ​
Contact either myself (krobson@timminschamber.on.ca) or
our Policy and Engagement Lead, Cameron Grant (policy@timminschamber.on.ca).  
About the City of Timmins and the Chamber’s Joint Business Continuity and Recovery Advisory Task force: 
The task force aims to support business continuity and recovery in the City of Timmins through a coordinated and responsive manner. Member organizations include: City of Timmins, The Chamber, MPP Gilles Bisson and MP Charlie Angus, Timmins Economic Development Corporation (TEDC), Downtown Timmins Business Improvement Association (BIA), The Venture Centre, Fednor, The Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines, and the Cochrane District Social Services Administration Board (CDSSAB).
CLICK HERE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SECOND ROUND:
​The results from the Timmins Business Impact Survey have been compiled as part of the continued efforts of the Business Continuity and Recovery Task Force. 
For the info graphic, CLICK HERE. 
To view the survey results, CLICK HERE.

LIST OF ESSENTIAL WORKPLACES (Link)
If you have questions about what will be open or impacts to your business or employment, call the Stop the Spread Business Information Line at 1-888-444-3659. ​

Ontario is planning for the next phase of responding to the coronavirus (COVID‑19) outbreak – reopening our province.
  • Stage 1: For businesses that were ordered to close or restrict operations, opening select workplaces that can immediately modify operations to meet public health guidance. Opening some outdoor spaces like parks and allowing for a greater number of individuals to attend some events. Hospitals would also begin to offer some non-urgent and scheduled surgeries, and other health care services.
  • Stage 2: Opening more workplaces, based on risk assessments, which may include some service industries and additional office and retail workplaces. Some larger public gatherings would be allowed, and more outdoor spaces would open.
  • Stage 3: Opening of all workplaces responsibly and further relaxing of restrictions on public gatherings.
​
To read the report on A Framework for Reopening our Province, CLICK HERE.

Critical Business Support Updates from Government

Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)
Extended until end of August 2020
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Use the wage subsidy calculator here. | Are you eligible for the wage subsidy? Click here to find out.
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Employers can apply for the CEWS through My Business Account or through the CRA’s online application portal, and their representatives can apply through Represent a Client.

Eligibility: 
  • ​Any company can qualify no matter what size, with the exception of public sector entities.
  • For non-profit organizations and registered charities similarly affected by a loss of revenue, the government will continue to work with the sector to ensure the definition of revenue is appropriate to their circumstances. Charities and non-profits can also choose whether to include revenues from governments, such as grants, in their calculations when they apply.
  • Companies must demonstrate their revenues have decreased by 15% in March 2020, and can compare their revenues to previous months rather than the previous year, to access the subsidy.
  • An eligible employer’s entitlement to this wage subsidy will be based entirely on the salary or wages actually paid to employees.

How to Apply
​Eligible employers would be able to apply for the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy through the Canada Revenue Agency’s My Business Account portal as well as a web-based application.
General enquiries:
Phone: 1-800-959-5525
Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance Application process is now open. To apply, click HERE.

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation will administer and deliver the CECRA, a collaboration between the federal government and provincial and territorial governments, which are responsible for property owner-tenant relationships.
It is expected that CECRA will be operational by mid-May, with commercial property owners lowering the rents of their small business tenants payable for the months of April and May, retroactively, and for June. This program will lower rent by 75 per cent for small businesses that have been affected by COVID-19.
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The government is also providing further details on the program:
  • The program will provide forgivable loans to qualifying commercial property owners to cover 50 per cent of three monthly rent payments that are payable by eligible small business tenants who are experiencing financial hardship during April, May, and June. 
  • The loans will be forgiven if the mortgaged property owner agrees to reduce the eligible small business tenants’ rent by at least 75 per cent for the three corresponding months under a rent forgiveness agreement, which will include a term not to evict the tenant while the agreement is in place. The small business tenant would cover the remainder, up to 25 per cent of the rent.
  • Impacted small business tenants are businesses paying less than $50,000 per month in rent and who have temporarily ceased operations or have experienced at least a 70 per cent drop in pre-COVID-19 revenues. This support will also be available to non-profit and charitable organizations.
Canada Emergency Response Benefit

​The government established the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) to support workers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This taxable benefit provides $2,000 every four weeks for up to four months to workers who lose their income as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

These changes will be retroactive to March 15, 2020 . Visit the portal for more information.
For more information or to apply, click here. 
Canada Emergency Business Account

The new Canada Emergency Business Account will provide interest-free loans of up to $40,000 to small businesses and not-for-profits, to help cover their operating costs during a period where their revenues have been temporarily reduced.
To qualify, these organizations will need to demonstrate they paid between $20,000 to $1.5 million in total payroll in 2019.
This program will roll out in mid-April, and interested businesses should work with their current financial institutions.
​
To qualify under the expanded eligibility criteria, applicants with payroll lower than $20,000 need:
  • a business operating account at a participating financial institution;
  • a Canada Revenue Agency business number, and to have filed a 2018 or 2019 tax return;
  • eligible non-deferrable expenses between $40,000 and $1.5 million. Eligible non-deferrable expenses could include costs such as rent, property taxes, utilities and insurance.
For more information or to apply, CLICK HERE.
The Venture Centre
With prime interest rate currently at 0.25 percent, the businesses will be saving significantly, and the Venture Centre is doing zero payments and no interest for 6 months. They will not accruing that interest, it is forgiven for that period.
 
Their intention is to have application of under $50,000 per client but we are willing to consider larger amounts on a case by case basis. That is why we left it open up to our maximum loan amounts.  The larger the amount requested, the longer it takes since security and due diligence will still be required for the loans.

For more information on how to apply, click here.
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$962M in New Federal Supports for Business
On Friday the Federal government announced more help on the way for businesses and organizations through targeted measures administered by RDAs like FedNor and Community Futures Networks like The Venture Centre.
  • $675 million to give financing support to small and medium-sized businesses that are unable to access the government’s existing COVID-19 support measures, through Canada’s Regional Development Agencies. (watch for info from FedNor)
  • $287 million to support rural businesses and communities, including providing them with much-needed access to capital through the Community Futures Network. (locally, administered by The Venture Centre)
Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund
​Support for Businesses in Northern Ontario

NADF is currently administering two (2) COVID-19 emergency loan funds to support Aboriginal businesses in Northern Ontario who have been impacted by COVID-19.  

These funds are not intended to replace or duplicate government or other bank/lender emergency program that are available to businesses in Canada.
The Government of Canada has also provided support of up to $250,000 to FedNor to invest directly in small businesses and organizations through its Regional Economic Growth Through Innovation Program. 

​Details of the Regional Economy Stream funding program is available on FedNor's website.

New Programs Focus on Hospitality Workers and Apprentices

The government is providing an Ontario Tools Grant of $2.5 million in 2020-21 and $7.5 million in 2021-22 and ongoing. This will help new eligible apprentices purchase the equipment they need to start their careers. The funding amounts will be distributed as follows:
  • $1,000 for those in motive power sector trades;
  • $600 for those in construction and industrial sector trades;
  • $400 for those in service sector trades.
To be eligible for the new grant, apprentices must have:
  • completed level 1 training on or after April 1, 2020;
  • an active registered training agreement; and
  • been registered as an apprentice for at least 12 months.
For more information or to apply, click HERE.

​Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) - Regional economy stream in Northern Ontario

The Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) will support vulnerable businesses and eligible not-for-profit organizations that are impacted by the economic disruption associated with the COVID-19 pandemic across the regions of Canada.  Applicants are eligible to receive up to 100 percent of total eligible bridge support costs, covering up to a six (6) month period.

The RRRF will provide repayable and conditionally repayable contributions to eligible SMEs, up a maximum of $250,000. Support to eligible not-for-profit organizations will be non-repayable.

For more information, CLICK HERE.

Noteworthy Business Resources and Information

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Canada Post offers free Emergency Mail Forwarding to Businesses
Emergency Mail Forwarding for business customers who need it is offered free of charge online as of April 3. Business customers who already purchased the service as of March 13 will be able to receive a refund by calling customer service. 
The Canadian chamber network has partnered with Statistics Canada to launch a survey of the national business community to collect time-sensitive data about what businesses are going through and how they’re planning for the eventual recovery. Take the survey here.

Today, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Government of Canada, launched the Canadian Business Resilience Network (CBRN). The CBRN is a coordinated, business-led, inclusive campaign that will focus on providing businesses the tools they need to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on them, our economy and communities across the country. Its goal is also to help businesses emerge from this crisis and drive Canada’s economic recovery.
The CBRN will:
  • Give tools and supports to businesses in their continuity efforts – from development to implementation.
  • Provide a consistent and reliable flow of accurate and up-to-date information.
  • Work closely with federal government and within the business community to ensure the right supports are in place, and to be a conduit for information from the government to the private sector (and vice versa).
  • Aim to instill confidence in Canadian business and the economy.
​For more information, CLICK HERE.

Governments Invest $2.5 Million to Grow Agri-food
​e-Business During COVID-19

The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $2.5 million to help the agri-food sector expand online, providing more opportunities for producers to grow their business and offer more food choices for families who are shopping from home during the COVID-19 outbreak. The funding is being provided through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (the Partnership). The Agri-Food Open for E-Business initiative will help food producers, farmers markets, retailers, garden centres, greenhouses, nurseries, and agricultural associations develop online business, providing consumers with greater access to a wide variety of food and agriculture products. This targeted application intake features two funding streams:
  1. Bring Your Business Online. Eligible organizations and businesses can apply for a grant of up to $5,000 to establish an online e-business and marketing presence. Funding under this stream will be quick and responsive for those needing immediate solutions.
  2. Develop Online Business Opportunities. Eligible organizations, businesses and collaborations can apply for cost-share funding of up to $75,000 to implement high-impact projects.
The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) will immediately accept applications and expedite the approval process to help businesses and organizations develop, expand and enhance their current online presence. Since June 2018, both the federal and provincial governments have committed support to approximately 2,500 projects through the Partnership to help eligible Ontario farmers, processors, businesses and sector organizations innovate and grow.
GST and HST Deferrals
The CRA will allow all businesses to defer, until the end of June 2020, any GST/HST payments or remittances that become owing on or after March 27, 2020, and before June 2020. This means that no interest will apply if your payments or remittances are made by the end of June 2020.

The deadline for businesses to file their returns is unchanged. Those who are able to, should continue to file their GST/HST returns on time reporting their net tax for the reporting period to help facilitate tax compliance and administration. However, recognizing the difficult circumstances faced by businesses, the CRA won’t impose penalties where a return is filed late provided that it is filed by June 30th.

For more information, click here. 
Employment Support Measures for Business
The Emergency Care Benefit provides up to $900 biweekly, up to 15 weeks to workers, including the self-employed, who have to stay home and don't qualify for paid sick leave or employment insurance.
​
HOW TO APPLY:
This will become available in April, and applications will be via the CRA.
Have an EI claim in process but have since been diagnosed with COVID 19?
Please call 1-833-381-2725
Tax Deferment
The federal government has agreed to defer until August 31, 2020, the payment tax amounts that become owing on or after March 18 and before September 2020. No interest or penalties will accumulate on these amounts during this period. 
Similarly, the municipal government has agreed that late property tax payments will not attract interest or late payment penalties until June 4, 2020.  
HOW TO APPLY:
No application needed
Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP)
The BCAP will allow the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) and Export Development Canada (EDC) to provide more than $10 billion of additional support, largest targeted to small- and medium-sized businesses (as defined by 499 employees or less).
  • Working capital loans of up to $2 million with flexible terms and payment postponements for up to 6 months for qualifying businesses
  • Postponement of payments for up to six months, free of charge, for existing BDC clients with total BDC loan commitment of $1 million or less 
  • Reduced rates on new eligible loans.
HOW TO APPLY:
BDC Website
EDC Website
Mortgage Payment Deferrals
The six largest banking institutions in Canada have made a commitment to work with personal and business banking customers on a case-by-case basis to provide flexible solutions to help them manage through various challenges.
This support will include up to a six-month payment deferral for mortgages, and the opportunity for relief on other credit products.
HOW TO APPLY: 
This will be done on a first come, first serve basis and requires a direct call to your bank.
Here are the helplines for each institution:
BMO: 1- 877-788-1923
CIBC: 1-877-454-9030
RBC: 1-800-769-2511
Scotiabank: 1-833-315-4357
TD: 1-888-730-0075
National Bank of Canada: 1‑844‑394‑4494 
​Ontario’s Action Plan: Responding to COVID‑19
The action plan will provide $3.3 billion in additional health care resources, $3.7 billion to support people and jobs, and measures that will make available up to $10 billion in support for people and businesses through tax and other deferrals to improve their cash flows, helping protect jobs and household budgets. 
Business supports include:
  • Allowing employers to defer payments to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) for up to six months
  • Increasing the Employer Health Tax (EHT) exemption to $1 million
  • Providing a five-month interest and penalty-free period for business to make payments for the majority of provincially administered taxes
  • Supporting regions lagging in employment growth with a proposed new Corporate Income Tax Credit, the Regional Opportunities Investment Tax Credit. 
Read more at ontario.ca.
April 1st - $50 million Ontario Together Fund: Currently Active
The Ontario government is launching a new $50 million Ontario Together Fund to help businesses provide innovative solutions or retool their operations in order to manufacture essential medical supplies and equipment, including:
        i. Gowns
        ii. Coveralls
        iii. Masks& face shields
        iv. Testing equipment
        v. Ventilators
  • This new Fund will support the development of proposals submitted by businesses through the Ontario Together web portal.
  • The government will be looking for the most viable, innovative proposals that can quickly provide critical goods and services and the greatest benefit to the people of Ontario.
  • The fund is time-limited and will be available to companies and organizations across the province.

​Cultural, Heritage and Sport Organizations

Canada's Energy Sector
Canadian cultural, heritage and sport organizations are facing significant financial losses due to COVID-19. They have lost potential revenues from closed facilities or cancelled events. Meanwhile, they are facing challenges accessing Canada’s broader support measures such as the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy because of unique seasonal revenues and costs.

The new COVID-19 Emergency Support Fund for Cultural, Heritage and Sport Organizations will provide $500 million to help
address the financial needs of affected organizations within these sectors. The fund will be administered by Canadian Heritage via contribution agreements.
​
Support will be provided in a manner consistent with other COVID-19 supports such as the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy and the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA).
Canada’s energy sector is facing significant challenges as it is dealing simultaneously with a surge in global crude oil supply and a decline in demand as a result of the broad economic slowdown brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
​
To support Canadians working in the energy sector through these challenges the government will take new targeted actions totalling more than $2 billion to create and protect jobs and important environmental benefits, as well as make available new tailored credit solutions for small and medium-sized companies in the sector. The targeted actions are expected to retain and create approximately 10,000 well-paying jobs in the sector.
​
In the near term, additional broad-based credit solutions will be made available for small and medium-sized firms in other sectors, such as forestry, retail and others, whose financing needs are similarly larger than the current solutions available under the BCAP.
For more information, please contact EDC or BDC.

Updates from the City of Timmins - ​City of Timmins COVID-19 Resource Page (Link)

Disinfecting and Sanitizing  - Coronavirus (COVID-19) May 22 2020
Media Release - Street Occupancy Permits​ May 22 2020
Media Release - Construction Ban Lifted May 19 2020
May Long Weekend  - Coronavirus (COVID-19) May 15 2020
30 Ways to De-stress in Less than 10 Minutes - Coronavirus (COVID-19) May 8 2020
Social Distancing Reminders - Coronavirus (COVID-19) May 7 2020
COVID-19 Process  Reminder - Coronavirus (COVID-19) May 6 2020
Announcements Updates - Coronavirus (COVID-19) May 5 2020
Guidance  - Coronavirus (COVID-19) May 1 2020
Toolkit for individual employees, April 29, 2020
Social Distancing Tips - Coronavirus (COVID-19) April 24 2020
Take Care of Yourself and Each Other - Coronavirus (COVID-19) April 20 2020
Supporting Mental Health During the Pandemic with Dr. Bill Howat
Mental Health Services  - Coronavirus (COVID-19) April 16 2020
COVID-19 Process  - Coronavirus (COVID-19) April 8 2020
COVID-19 Simulation Report

Resources for Employers with Temporary Foreign Workers

Additional Business Resources, Webinars, Learning, and Webpages

The following resources provide general information from government and public health authorities on how businesses and their staff can help mitigate the spread of COVID-19: Further Resources for Businesses Industry Specific Resources

Resources for Non-profits

Additional Resources to Small Businesses

The following are resources that are specific to small businesses:​ ​In addition to pandemic preparedness tools, we have also created templates for your use:
Crisis Communications Plan and a Business Continuity & Recovery Plan. ​
Web Pages
​Canadian Chamber of Commerce: COVID-19: Business Resilience
Canadian Payroll Association: Payroll Continuity Best Practice Guidelines
Chambers Plan: COVID-19 Updates and Resources
​
Financial 
Economic Development Corporation 
Employment Insurance  (New dedicated COVID-19 number: 1-833-381-2725) 

​Business Development Canada:
Support for Entrepreneurs impacted by coronavirus
Business continuity plan and templates for entrepreneurs
 
Department of Finance Canada: 
Canada outlines measures to support the economy and the financial sector
 
Global Affairs Canada 
Trade Commissioner Service Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Resources for Canadian businesses 
 
Regional Development Agencies
RDAs are helping to address economic challenges brought on by COVID-19

Economic Development Supports
Economic Developers Council of Ontario - Members Facebook Group
Economic Developers Association of Canada - LinkedIn Group
International Economic Developers Association - Webinar Presentation
Dealing with the Coronavirus: What to do immediately, to help save the tourism industry and our downtown: Presentation
Here’s how #CDNtech companies are pitching in during COVID-19 - Article

Health 
Public Health Ontario
Canada Public Health 
Social distancing, handwashing and cleaning / ventilation
Increasing cleaning procedures (Ontario) 
Government of Canada takes action on COVID-19
Novus Health Webinar: Building Resilience to COVID-19 (English)
Novus Health Webinar: Renforce votre résilience face à la COVID-19 (Français)
 
Travel 
Latest Government of Canada Travel Advice 
Destination Canada - COVID-19 Updates
Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Matter - Here is my 10 point immediate action plan for our sectors during Covid-19

Employment and Social Development Canada
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
 
Other organizations 
Restaurants Canada 
Retail Council 
Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters 
The Conference Board of Canada
Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses 
— CFIB is opening their Business Helpline to non-CFIB members. For advice managing #coronavirus in the workplace, business owners can call 1-888-234-2232. 
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